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Eugen Bleuler
Sometime between 1908 and 1912, Bleuler uses the term "Autism" for the first time. The use of this word was in regard to his research with Schizophrenia. -
Leo Kanner
Kanner classifies "Autism" as its own distinct condition. Specifically, he coined the term "early infantile autism" (compared to Bleuler coining the term as a component of schizophrenia) -
Hans Asperger
while doing research separate from Kanner's, Asperger first used the term "Asperger's syndrome." Though symptoms related to this disorder were similar to those of Kanner's Early infantile Autism, Asperger believed that the two disorders were different. -
"Refrigerator Mothers"
Between 1949 and and early 1950, Leo Kanner determined the cause of Autism was having a "cold" mother in regard to parenting style. This was the only potential cause for Autism that was documented at this time. -
Bruno Bettelheim
Bettelheim agrees with Kanner and states that Autism comes from a lack in parental love, attention, and acceptance. (this includes fathers too compared to Kanner's mother specific reason) -
The Society for Psychotic Children
The first time a group of parents came together to discuss starting a charity to help those with Autism and their families. British psychiatrist - Lorna Wing-founder; Mrs. Edna O'driscoll - she hosted the first meeting at her home in London This society is now called the National Autistic Society. The society decided on three main goals:
1. start a school for children who have Autism
2.Open a residential service for those children when they finish school.
3.provide information and advice -
DSM-1
the first edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual was published. Symptoms related to Autism were placed under the category of Schizophrenia. Autism was not given its own set of diagnostic criteria and was not documented as its own illness/disorder. -
Period: to
Tx = LSD
during the 1960s, LSD was studied and sometimes used as a treatment for Autism. This was due to a lack of other treatment options. -
Bernard Rimland
Rimland wrote that Autism was a biological disorder. This was the first time a causal explanation had been given hat was different from Kanner's "refrigerator mothers" cause. -
Autism Society of American (ASA)
Bernard Rimland founded this society. -
Ole Ivar Lovaas
Loaves developed the Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) treatment. -
Sybil Elgar School
The National Autistic Society (NAS) opens its first school: the Sybil Elgar School. This school has received international recognition related to the teaching standards put in place by then-principal Sybil Elgar. More than 350 students have attended this school since it opened. -
The Squeeze Machine
Temple Grandin, who was born with Autism, creates a machine that squeezes her body to calm her down when she gets upset. This machine has proven to have a calming effect on humans and animals. -
Autism Research Institute (ARI)
Bernard Rimland founded this institute in San Diego, CA. -
Helen Allison School
Because the Sybil Elgar School was so successful, it was suggested that a second school be opened. Helen Allison was a founding member/parent in the NAS. 155 students have attended this school since it opened. -
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
the first journal dedicated to autism and other developmental disorders was established -
TEACCH
Eric Shopler created the Treatment and Education of Autistic and related Communication Handicapped Children (TEACCH) at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. This program provides training for individuals with Autism. -
Susan Folstein and Michael Rutter
They conducted the first every identical twin study and determined that Autism does in fact have genetic links/causes -
DSM-III
The DSM-III is published. This is the first time Autism is recognized as its own disorder in regard to diagnostic criteria. -
ABA and DTT - They Work!
Lovaas' treatments: Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and Discrete Trial Training (DTT) seem to work and are currently the most common treatments used with individuals with Autism. -
Rain Man
This is the first movie to depict an individual with Autism. This was critical in raising public awareness for the disorder and what it can look like. -
Autism Diagnostic Interview (ADI)
An assessment is created to evaluate individuals that are suspected to have Autism. This was created by Michael Rutter, Ann Lecouteur, and Catherine Lord. This tool has since been revised and updated. -
Autism --> Special Education
The federal government made a decision to make students with Autism eligible to receive special education services. -
DSM - IV
This manual was the first to add multiple disorders under the overall classification of Autism. Some of these included Rett's Disorder and Asperger's disorder -
Vaccine linked to cause Autism
Andrew Wakefield published a paper determining that the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine was a link that could cause Autism. -
Autism Rises
The National Institute of Health estimates that around 1 in 500 children have Autism. -
Autism still on the rise
The NIH estimates Autism affects 1 in 250 children. -
Thimerosal Vaccine
Cdc reports that children exposed to the Thimerosal (used for preservation purposes) vaccine are more likely to develop Autism. -
Thimerosal is not linked
the CDC states that thimerosal is not a cause of Autism. -
300,00
The CDC reports that approximately 300,00 children currently have autism in the United States. -
Awareness!
The senate designates April to be Autism Awareness Month -
Autism rises some more
CDC estimates that Autism is now affecting 1 in every 150 children in the U.S. -
DSM-V
The latest edition of the DSM was published in 2013. This edition eliminates the use of Autism subtypes. Individuals are now diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) with varying severity levels.
